The Russian Defense Ministry has commenced flight tests of the UAE-made United 40 military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a source familiar with the situation told the RIA Novosti Friday. "Tests of the UAE United 40 drone have started in the Chkalov State Flight Test Center of the Russian Defense Ministry," the source said.

South Korean companies delivered first components for country's Global Hawk program

The partnership between Northrop Grumman Corporation and the Korean defense industry achieved another milestone in April with the completion of the first two component orders on the Republic of Korea Global Hawk Program.

Textron Systems Unmanned Systems has completed the integration of the Hybrid Quadrotor technology to the Aerosonde Small Unmanned Aircraft System. It is a proof of concept system combining vertical take off and landing (VTOL) of a multi-rotor air vehicle, with the speed, efficiency and endurance of Aerosonde’s SUAS fixed-wing aircraft.

Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and Airbus Helicopters are hosting a two-day workshop in Radom on the 28 – 29 April to identify potential areas of cooperation around the Tiger HAD project, in the frame of the Kruk attack helicopter project. The event included the global network of Tiger HAD suppliers who took part in the discussions with a number of Polish companies.

Russian Helicopters' Ka-62 multipurpose helicopter prototype took to the skies

The first prototype of the Kamov Ka-62 medium multipurpose helicopter performed its debut flight at the Progress Aircraft-Manufacturing Enterprise, part of Russian Helicopters Group, on April 28, the Russian Helicopters press office said on Friday.

The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon a $90 million first-lot production contract for the next-generation Multi-Spectral Targeting System. The AN/DAS-4, the latest variant of the MTS family of sensors, incorporates greater fire control and Target Location Accuracy technology for precise coordinates.

With a successful first flight on April 25th, Boeing has added the fourth and final flight test aircraft to the KC-46 Pegasus fleet, a 767-2C, the US-based giant announced on Tuesday. During the 1 hour, 40 minute flight, test pilots performed operational engine checks, flight controls and environmental systems checks and took the 767-2C to a maximum altitude of 39,000 feet prior to landing at Boeing Field, south of Seattle.

The United States State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles and associated equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $1.22 billion, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on April 25.

Germany is upgrading its infrastructure at Incirlik Air Force Base in Turkey. According to information obtained by Spiegel Online, the German Armed Forces will build permanent installations to accommodate Tornado aircraft and ground personnel, taking part in the war against the Islamic State.

Finmeccanica has upgraded the Italian Typhoons’ air-to-ground capabilities. In cooperation with the Italian Air Force the company integrated a Mode 5 Reverse-IFF system to the Tranche 1 Eurofighter Typhoons. The new capabilities were recently presented to NATO Battlefield Combat Identification Capability Team officials.

MD Helicopters (MDHI) announced on Thursday that the Malaysian company CTRM Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of DRBHicom Defence Technologies, will be the exclusive Authorized Service Centre supporting the company’s ASEAN military segment.

Lockheed Martin lands a $116mn contract from USAF for JASSM-ER missiles production

Lockheed Martin received a $116.8 million contract from the U.S. Air Force for continued production of Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER), the US-based defense giant announced Thursday April 21, 2016.

After a short delay due to weather conditions, Japan's indigenously made X-2 fighter prototype finally took to the skies today morning, local media announced. The nation’s first stealth plane prototype, the X-2, took off from Nagoya airfield in central Japan around 8.50am, Defence Ministry Programme Manager Hirofumi Doi. The jet landed safely at Gifu Air Base in Gifu Prefecture at 9.13am, Doi said.

USMC’s newest heavy transport helicopter, the Sikorsky CH-53K, has successfully completed the first external load flight test. The Sea Stallion lifted and then released a load of 12,000 lbs. The company has scheduled further tests to increase the platform’s flight envelope.

Cessna lands a $14mn FMS from Pakistan for six aeromedical evacuation aircraft

The US-based aircraft manufacturer Cessna Aircraft has been awarded a $14,095,939 contract to provide two Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX aircraft, four Cessna T-206H Stationair aircraft, sustainment support and associated training to Pakistan, the US Department of Defense announced on Wednesday April 20, 2016.

The House seems to have second thoughts on the F-22 air superiority aircraft’s revival whose production was terminated in 2009. During that time, the US was deeply engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan, with most of the financial resources allocated for that cause. However, with China and Russia closing the technological gap in air-defence systems and aerial platforms, the US and its allies are extremely worried.

OIS Advanced Technology (OIS-AT) and Sagem (Safran) of France have signed an MoU to create a Joint Venture for the manufacturing of Sagem's AASM Hammer Bomb Guidance and Glide Kit in India. With this Sagem has declared OIS-AT as the Indian Manufacturer for this weapon system.

Hanwha Thales selected to provide advanced radar system for South Korea's KF-X program

The South-Korea-based defense manufacturer Hanwha Thales was selected as the preferred bidder to produce an advanced radar system to be fitted onto South Korea's indigenous fighter jets, the defense procurement agency said Wednesday.

China's female pilots to fly JH-7 light bomber aircraft for the first time

Female pilots will fly the Chinese Air Force's Xian JH-7 bombers for the first time, according to the PLA Daily on Wednesday April 20. Until now, the cockpit has been occupied only by male pilots. The Air Force of the People's Liberation Army (PLAAF) has decided to modify the jet's cockpit to better accommodate female pilots.

The Bulgarian defence ministry informed on Friday that it has launched a public tender for the supply of ten engines for MiG-29 fighter jets. The engines can be either new or repaired ones and are needed to extend the operational capacity of five fighter jets, daily Sega informs.